For most people, Christmas means gifts and celebrations. Unfortunately, the pandemic is once again playing the spoiler and slowing down the long-awaited reunion.
Fortunately, I already got my presents well in advance of December 25th. I received new lungs last February as well as a lot of love and solidarity from my family and friends.
I have also benefited from an efficient health system and the professional, technical and administrative skills found there.
This lung transplant turns out to be the greatest gift of my life. I wish the same happiness to all those who are waiting for an organ to survive.
I hope, however, that the resurgence of the pandemic will not constitute an insurmountable obstacle for them.
Run against the clock
Last December, I was at home, plugged into a double oxygen concentrator, and it was barely enough for me to carry out daily activities, such as sitting at the table, eating or brushing my teeth.
My pulmonary fibrosis was progressing at lightning speed and the doctors were worried about it. On an emergency list, I was hospitalized in January to undergo a battery of tests that would determine if I was suitable for a transplant. I have been.
Pleased with the news, the clinical nurse and thoracic surgeon still cast a shadow on the board by telling me that donors were scarce with the pandemic and that there had been only one lung transplant in the last month.
My days were numbered and only new lungs could lengthen my life.
I experienced false joy while waiting in the operating room at the end of January. The surgeon told me that the operation would not take place because the lungs were not good. Two weeks later, luck finally smiled on me and I was able to receive new lungs.
I will be forever grateful to the donor and the staff who kept me alive for 44 days in intensive care.
Solidarity
I won my race against time and I hope that it will be the same for all the people hospitalized awaiting a transplant or a major intervention.
Normally, there is a shortage of organ donors, and from what I have experienced, it would be worse during a pandemic.
This is to say how important it is not to relax in compliance with health measures to avoid overloading our hospitals.
The holiday season calls for generosity, therefore, this is a great opportunity to donate yourself by indicating your approval for organ donation upon your death.
This year my Christmas will be very different from last year when I was bedridden and weak. This year, I will celebrate this return to life at the table with my sweetheart and my children.
Happy Holidays to all of our readers and, above all, long life.